The Glory of Columbus: Seville Cathedral: UNESCO Culture Sector

The church conference of Seville in 1401 decided that a "huge cathedral should be built which people in the future would find amazing." The Cathedral’s most notable feature is its Altarpiece, claimed to be the largest in the world. We can see the Sculpture of Jesus Christ on the Cross at the uppermost part - it almost reaches the ceiling. The altarpiece is 20 meters high and 13 meters wide. The surface is covered in gold to show Spain’s wealth and power. More than three tons of gold was used. It was probably brought over from the New World. The characteristic feature of this altarpiece is that the Virgin Mary is placed in the center, instead of Jesus Christ. From the 4th century Marianism prevailed in Spain and Seville became a leading city for this devotion. The great chamber’s ceiling also has a painting of the Virgin Mary. The "Immaculate Conception" by Seville painter Murillo depicts the Virgin Mary with her innocent beauty. The Cathedral was completed about 13 years after Christopher Columbus’s death. His coffin is held by four giants inside the Cathedral. It is emblazoned with the Spanish Royal Coat of Arms. The Discovery of the New World had a significant meaning for Spain. The four giants represent the four Catholic Kingdoms which founded the Kingdom of Spain."